Gold Awards The 2018 Girl Scout - Girl Scouts of Connecticut
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The 2018 Girl Scout Gold Awards
The Gold Award is the highest award a girl can earn in Girl Scouting.
An award with national standards, it acknowledges an individual’s
accomplishments, leadership, commitment, creativity, and personal effort
in trying to make the world a better place. Each Gold Award project solves
a community issue and improves lives while girls build their personal
leadership skills and inspire others to community action.
A Gold Award Girl Scout’s accomplishments reflect leadership and
citizenship skills that set her apart as a community leader. The award is a
major accomplishment in a girl’s life and an extension and compilation of
all that she has learned through her Girl Scout experience.
The Girl Scout Gold Award recognizes that for girls to
become leaders they need to become
knowledgeable, involved, and proactive. They
need to lead the way.
Discover–Girls understand themselves
and their values and use their knowledge
and skills to explore the world;
Connect–Girls care about, inspire, and
team with others locally and globally;
Take Action–Girls act to make the world
a better place.
Above all else, the achievement of the Gold Award makes
a girl understand what a difference one person can make, what one girl
in a leadership role can do, and how one person’s vision can inspire
positive change.
Congratulations to this year’s Gold Award Girl Scouts!2 01 8 G O L D AWA R D G I R L S C O U TS
Rachel Abrahamson Alayna Barrios
WEST GRANBY FAIRFIELD
Rachel noticed a significant lack of music in many childcare Alayna worked with staff at the Fairfield Museum and
programs, and knew that music helps with language History Center to establish a workshop on colonial life to
development, literacy, rhythm, and diction, so she ran a educate children between the ages of 8-12. Alayna held two
music camp at a local daycare. Rachel taught the children sessions of her workshop and taught students about colonial
how to play music through lessons and how to write their chores and leisure activities, prominent figures of colonial
own music. She also created a music binder for surrounding Fairfield, the local wetland environment’s past, present, and
daycares filled with helpful tips, surveys, and written music. future, and colonial methods and materials of education.
Because of her project’s success, Rachel’s camp will continue She created a booklet of her lesson plans and research for
to run at other daycares. Rachel is currently attending visitors to use in the future, and distributed copies to all of
Manhattanville College and is studying music education. the public elementary schools in Fairfield. Alayna plans to
study and teach history and continue to make an impact on
the world.
Susan Alptekin Ada Prudence C.F.
DARIEN Baujin
TORRINGTON
Susan painted a United States playground map outside of Ada implemented an American Sign Language (ASL)
Norwalk Grassroots Tennis and Education to help younger curriculum for children and taught sessions of the curriculum
children learn geography kinesthetically and in a less at local libraries. Ada, who is a passionate advocate for ASL
stressful environment. Susan hoped getting children out of education, also created recordings of stories in ASL to keep
the classroom and outdoors playing games would be a fun at the libraries with the help of her past ASL teachers and
and easy way to learn about our country. Susan made sure interpreters. Ada’s curriculum was so well received that the
to use sustainable paint that will not fade and will make librarians asked her to come and teach the class again in
sure to add a coating to ensure its longevity. Susan also left the future. The curriculum and recordings will stay at the
behind the packet of games for children to use with the map library and continue to be distributed. Ada is starting her
for years to come. Susan currently attends the University of education at Northwestern Connecticut Community College
Michigan. and majoring in ASL to English Interpretation and Fine Arts.
She plans to transfer to a four-year school and eventually
earn a Ph.D.
Abigail Aronica Victoria Benedicto
STAMFORD MILFORD
Abigail’s Gold Award project, “Kaleidoscope,” provided an Victoria created a sustainable produce garden at St. James
educational safe space for LGBT youth and their allies. The Church in Stratford. Victoria cleaned the garden beds and
afterschool club covered topics such as micro-aggressions, planted a new vegetable and herb garden. Throughout the
allyship, and how to approach bullying issues. They developed summer, she weeded and harvested the produce from
a curriculum and also discussed current events and issues. the garden and donated it to a local food pantry. She also
Abigail hopes her club will introduce a new generation to created healthy and easy recipes for people to take home.
inclusion and expose students to valuable information about Her harvest was very successful and a local Girl Scout troop
being comfortable and accepted as who they are. Students will come and do the garden again. Victoria is also recruiting
will continue to run Abigail’s club after she graduates. She is underclassmen in her agricultural school who are interested
currently attending Ohio State University pursuing a degree in in doing the project. Victoria will be attending the University
astrophysics. She hopes to work for NASA one day. of Maine and will study marine biology. She plans to pursue a
career in environmental and marine life conservation.
12 01 8 G O L D AWA R D G I R L S C O U TS
Elizabeth Biederman Samantha Cassidy
GREENWICH FAIRFIELD
Elizabeth worked with local groups in her town to build Samantha teamed up with her local YMCA and taught
grow towers, hydroponic systems designed to grow plants. children ages 5-9 various modified sports for one week as
The towers were built from low-cost, readily-available part of their summer camp. The activities included modified
materials. Elizabeth partnered with the Boys and Girls Club handball, dodgeball, bocce, bowling, three-legged racing,
of Greenwich and offered a week-long session during a and goalball. Samantha chose to do this project because she
summer camp where campers learned the need for local, wanted to teach children that having a disability does not
environmentally-friendly alternatives to the produce system. mean they are limited in participating in sports. Samantha
The campers then built and seeded their own grow towers. created posters explaining each modified sport and donated
Elizabeth also created a YouTube video demonstrating how the posters to her public library for future use. Samantha
to build a grow tower, a pamphlet which was distributed in is a student at Emory University. She intends to major in
town, and seminars with local horticulture groups. Elizabeth psychology and is on the pre-med track. Samantha hopes
plans to study mechanical engineering when she graduates to be a psychiatrist in a forensic setting or work in mental
from high school. health.
Jennifer Browne Kassandra Castaldi
NEWTOWN TRUMBULL
Jennifer focused on mental health issues in teenagers, Kassandra addressed the loss of interest in playing a musical
specifically the term, “eunoia.” Eunoia means “well minded” instrument among middle school students by creating a
or a healthy state of mind. Jennifer created fourteen presentation exemplifying the scientific and social benefits
informational pamphlets and presented her research at of playing an instrument. She presented her research to
health fairs and suicide prevention walks across the state. eighth-grade band and orchestra classes and brought in
She also presented a PowerPoint to a middle school health student speakers who recounted personal experiences. She
class. Jennifer’s aim was to endorse and promote a healthy also distributed a brochure for students to take home and
mindset by offering information on the most common mental share with their families. After her presentation, almost 80
illnesses, treatment options, and coping mechanisms. percent of the students said they were at least somewhat
Jennifer’s information pamphlets will be distributed among likely to continue playing an instrument in high school. Her
the middle school health classes and her PowerPoint advisor will continue to help find high school volunteers
will continue to be presented. Jennifer plans to study to update and present her project to students. Kassandra
anthropology and pursue a career in archeology when she hopes to be a French teacher, and will of course continue to
graduates. play the flute!
Georgia V. Burkard Kanakapriya Chelladurai
WESTON BROOKFIELD
Georgia’s project addressed the problem of children’s Kanakapriya brought in presenters from different cultures
self-expression through art. She encouraged the students to teach elementary-age students about different traditions
to use art as a form of expression and to be comfortable and customs through language, games, food, clothing, and
expressing how they feel about being a young woman. The performances. She also video taped the presentations and
project culminated in a collaborative mosaic about what uploaded them to YouTube. Her project helped children learn
being a strong woman looked like to them. Georgia also about “unity in diversity” and also learn about their own
established a sample art curriculum with information about cultures and the world around them. Kanakapriya’s Key Club
art therapy, descriptions, and sample work to implement in will take over the project in the fall. The videos she created
surrounding schools. Georgia left the curriculum at the local will also stay on YouTube for others to view and learn about
school and made it electronic for anyone to access online. other cultures. Kanakapriya plans to go to college after she
Georgia is attending the University of North Carolina at graduates and pursue a career in international business and
Chapel Hill majoring in business administration and a minor accounting.
in information science.
22 01 8 G O L D AWA R D G I R L S C O U TS
Julia Codere Jessica Curello
SHELTON CHESHIRE
Julia noticed that her friends and family were stressed during the Jessica aimed to address the rising rate of Lyme disease
college application process, so she designed and built a peaceful in the state by educating her town. Jessica implemented
garden for members in her community to use as a tranquil several programs and booths at local fairs, and she was able
retreat. Julia researched stress and anxiety and implemented to reach out to youth and parents in her community and
what she learned in her garden. She learned through her research educate them on how to prevent Lyme disease, recognize the
of stress and anxiety that there are different kinds of stress, symptoms, and explain what the disease is. She also created
good and bad, that can take a toll on physical and mental health. a project Instagram account and provided information to
She not only learned about health, but also how to be a leader her followers. Those who attended Jessica’s program also
in her community. The garden will be sustained with the help of filled out surveys where they detailed the information they
members of the congregation of the Huntington United Methodist learned and if the program was helpful. Jessica hopes that
Church, where the garden is located. her community will take what they learned and continue to
educate others about the disease. Jessica plans to become a
nurse practitioner after she graduates.
Rebecca Cohen Adriana Curtis
RIDGEFIELD WILTON
Rebecca sought to help girls in her community feel inspired Adriana created a childcare program for Our Lady of Fatima
and interested in leadership positions and careers and Parish in Wilton called “Kid’s Breakaway.” She noticed parents
subsequently increase representation of the female struggled having their children at mass because they would
perspective. She visited classrooms and held events where get too distracted, so her program let parents drop their
she led discussions speaking on STEM and civic engagement. children off prior or during mass at the Parish Center next to
She also worked with a Girl Scout Brownie troop and the church so they can attend mass peacefully. High school
led activities in leadership roles, STEM, and politics. She volunteers joined Adriana to take care of the children and
encouraged them to work towards their highest awards and provide faith-based crafts and games. Adriana recruited
take action in their communities. Rebecca also worked with volunteers who will take over the program when she goes off
the AIAA on a proposal for the national science competition to college. Adriana plans to pursue a career in psychology or
for middle school girls which will be fully developed next business.
year. Rebecca plans to major in science, technology, and
international affairs when she graduates.
Meghan Conlin Kayla Marie Daley
BURLINGTON WINDSOR LOCKS
Meghan created a “Little Free Library” at her local library Kayla addressed the issue of childhood hunger during
to give her community the opportunity to share books and the summer when free breakfast and lunch are no longer
also give others access to books. She hoped to give families accessible at local schools. She set up an annual summer
access to books that are free and have no limits in borrowing food drive to stock up the local food bank. She also created a
and returning. After establishing her Little Free Library, community garden with fresh produce and donated the food
Meghan has seen books come and go and the excitement to her local food bank. With the help of the cookbook she
build within her community whenever someone leaves a new created, families were able to try different recipes and feed
book. The project is self-sustainable, but the Honor’s Society themselves over the summer. Kayla’s town is taking over the
at Lewis Mills High School will check on the Little Free Library summer food drive and Suffield Agriscience will take over the
in the future. Meghan currently attends Boston University and community garden. Her cookbook will also be available at the
hopes to pursue a career in either publishing, psychology, or food bank for the future. Kayla plans to pursue a career in
English. political science.
32 01 8 G O L D AWA R D G I R L S C O U TS
Elizabeth D’Arcangelo Lily DeBlasio
AVON SEYMOUR
Elizabeth educated clients at the St. Gerard’s Center for Life Lily designed practice drills and put in place emergency
on the benefits of a high fiber, low-sugar, plant-based diet. procedures for the Oxford Otters Swim Team. Her aim was to
She created a cookbook with simple, nutritious recipes that make the Oxford swimming community safer for swimmers
stayed within a particular budget, a PowerPoint, and a poster and staff. Throughout the course of the season, the team
with facts about fast foods and alternatives. Elizabeth also held three practice drills and streamlined their emergency
demonstrated some cooking techniques, organized simple action plan. The project also included education seminars
meals that are easy to prepare, and presented a cost analysis for younger swimmers to teach them about water safety.
of fast food versus cooking at home. Elizabeth’s classes were The team will continue to hold practice drills every season,
so successful that St. Gerard’s plans to hold the classes each something they had never done before Lily’s project. The
year using the extensive materials that Elizabeth created. team will also offer in-service training for lifeguards and
Elizabeth plans to study government and international coaches. Lily is attending the University of Connecticut and
relations when she graduates high school. plans to pursue a law degree.
Jenna d’Arcy Melody DeBlasio
NEW FAIRFIELD SEYMOUR
Jenna created and implemented a science program at the Melody helped students in her town perform better in
New Fairfield Parks and Recreation Day Camp. Her program science classes by presenting a series of lesson plans
taught children ages 5-12 about all aspects of science supplementing the current ninth-grade science curriculum.
through exciting activities and experiments. She hoped to The students gained a better understanding of fundamental
give younger kids in her community exposure to science and science concepts, critical thinking skills, and a deep
learn how they can apply the skills they learned in real life appreciation for the ways science influences our daily lives.
and also help improve the environment that we live in. Jenna The lesson plans she created will be implemented into the
created a binder for future camp counselors to use at the official ninth-grade physics and chemistry curriculum. She
camp. She also filmed and uploaded two of the experiments also designed a comprehensive handbook instructing future
the campers conducted on YouTube for future reference. teaching assistants on how to create their own lesson plans
Jenna plans to study environmental engineering and follow a and sustain the project. Melody plans to study biology and
career path as an environmental scientist. eventually become a forensic pathologist.
Phoebe Daur Dilshad Dinshaw
GREENWICH WILTON
Phoebe created a program, “Fun, Fitness, and Food” to help Dilshad’s project focused on saving the declining monarch
educate children about healthy eating and exercise. She butterfly population and preserving their migratory routes by
met with a class of 15 students at a local school and taught creating “butterfly stops” along their migratory paths. Dilshad
lessons on eating right, ways to exercise, and the human educated the younger generation and her local community
body. After the lesson, Phoebe would take the students about the important role milkweed plants play in a butterfly’s
outside and exercise and then come back inside for a healthy life. She gave presentations at preschools, summer camps,
snack. After the class, the students took a survey on what and troop meetings. Her students planted milkweed seeds
they learned, and Phoebe was satisfied with their positive in little pots and took them home to transplant in their own
responses. Phoebe created a blog with all of her lessons so backyards. She also created a pollinator garden at her local
the program can be continued for years to come. Phoebe nature center and planted over 140 milkweed plants at a
currently attends the University of Connecticut studying local trail. Dilshad plans to study international relations or
elementary education. She wants to teach grades 1-6 when environmental studies when she graduates.
she graduates.
42 01 8 G O L D AWA R D G I R L S C O U TS
Alexandra Dizes Sarah Farney
WETHERSFIELD NEW FAIRFIELD
Alexandra taught an art class at a local health and Sarah offered support for cancer survivors and patients for
rehabilitation center and helped the residents express their when they are going through a tough time. When her father
creativity, have fun, learn new skills, and make new friends. was diagnosed with brain cancer a few years ago, Sarah
Alexandra brought in local high school students to work with wanted to create a way to help him feel supported during and
the older residents, hoping that this would also bridge the after his struggle. At a local Relay for Life event in 2017, she
generational gap, forming strong bonds and relationships. created an almost life-size tree where cancer survivors and
Alexandra plans to continue to teach the art classes through patients can put their fingerprint of the cancer’s associated
the National Art Society at her school. When she graduates, a color on the tree and write about their journey in a journal.
fellow classmate will continue to run the classes and recruit her project will be continued by a local Girl Scout troop in her
other students to run the program in the future. Alexandra town who will run the event at Relay for Life. Sarah plans to
plans on studying arts and psychology to become an art earn a degree in communication and then attend law school
therapist. when she graduates.
Kaitlyn Dow Catherine Anne Fiske
WATERFORD MIDDLEBURY
Kaitlyn worked with her town and placed six new geocaches Catherine dedicated her Gold Award project to clear and
and replaced two existing geocaches to help bridge the gap beautify her church’s prayer garden after it was ruined by
between technology and the outdoors, revitalize her town Hurricane Sandy. Catherine was able to repurpose some of
properties, and encourage kids and families to get outside. the original project materials and enhanced the garden with
Kaitlyn also created a curriculum and brochure for kids and new plants and herbs. The garden is now a peaceful place
families where they can learn more about geocaching. The for people to pray and allow the natural wildlife to flourish.
geocaches highlighted different properties the town has to Catherine’s garden is automatically sustainable with a low
offer including places to hike, walk, and fish. Students from impact on the environment utilizing stone, weed block fabric,
Kaitlyn’s high school will continue to maintain the geocaches and mulch. Catherine is currently attending Lincoln College
after she graduates. Kaitlyn currently attends the United of New England and studying mortuary science with plans to
States Coast Guard Academy where she is studying naval become a funeral director.
architecture. She hopes to pursue a career in the military.
Olivia Fabrizi Marie S. Fulda
WESTBROOK FAIRFIELD
Olivia mapped and removed the invasive species, bristled Marie realized high schools in the surrounding town
knotweed, from Chatfield Hollow State Park. She educated offered little musical extracurricular activities for students,
high school students, elementary school students, and other so she provided musical opportunities to students at a
people in her community about the dangers of invasive summer enrichment program at Sacred Heart University
species and how to prevent their spread. For the elementary and an after-school enrichment program at a local
students, Olivia created a scrapbook and memory game community center. At Sacred Heart, she ran choir for the
to be used in second-grade classrooms and an interactive students and hosted a performance for their families. At
PDF for the park’s Facebook page. Olivia’s high school’s the after-school center, Marie directed four choirs and
environmental club will continue to visit Chatfield Hollow led musical games, fun rhythm and pitch exercises, and a
State Park and keep it free of bristled knotweed. Olivia plans rehearsal for performances. They are also recording a music
to study marine biology. video. Marie currently runs the program, but will leave the
lesson plans behind when she graduates.
52 01 8 G O L D AWA R D G I R L S C O U TS
Gabriella Sophia Elisabeth Helmin
Gagas MANCHESTER
MIDDLEBURY
Gabriella addressed the trend of unhealthy eating at her local Elisabeth’s Gold Award Project, “My Words, My Choice,” was a
church by providing healthy foods at coffee hour instead nine-week program where she taught six graders at her school
of foods filled with sugars, like donuts. She designed and about the power of language and how our language can affect
distributed brochures and visuals to her community. Because the relationships we create in life. Elisabeth was inspired by her
of her project, Gabriella’s church became more aware of uncle who was born with cerebral palsy. Hearing about how he
what they were putting into their bodies and how to select was treated by his peers encouraged her to teach the students to
healthier options. Gabriella’s brochures are on display at the use positive language, find their own voice, and speak up for those
church as well as the “Guide to Hosting Coffee Hour” that she who cannot. Each week, she taught three specific lessons with
created. All project materials have been posted to the church different hands-on activities focusing on self-reflection and how to
website as well. Gabriella is planning to pursue a career in use those skills to create good in their community. Elisabeth taught
business and will study accounting and finance when she students that we all have a voice in this world, but it’s important
graduates. to understand when and how to use our voice. Elisabeth plans to
pursue a career in architecture and design when she graduates.
Lauren Hanny Samantha Kane
WILTON REDDING
Lauren worked with New Canaan Mounted Troop, a nonprofit Samantha sought to provide music programming to
barn and home that offers riding and therapeutic programs preschools who do not have one. Research shows music
for individuals. She launched a program called “Adopt a helps improve confidence, punctuation, independent
Horse” where someone can virtually adopt the horses and singing, pitch, rhythm, diction, posture, memorization, and
ponies to help with daily horse needs and help keep the phrases—all concepts that help children with the English
barn sustainable. Lauren took photographs of the horses language. The children loved the classes and gained a lot
and advertised them through newspaper articles and flyers of skill, knowledge, and appreciation for music. Samantha’s
distributed throughout her surrounding communities. Lauren curriculum is self-guiding and the teachers at the preschool
rides at the barn and hoped to spread awareness through will be able to continue the program for years to come.
presentations and hosting local booths in the surrounding Samantha plans to study anthropology and social work
towns. The New Canaan Mounted Troop’s leadership council after she graduates. She plans to pursue a career as an
will reconvene and find someone to run and expand the anthropologist.
program. Lauren currently attends the Miami University in
Ohio and is pursuing early childhood education.
Anastasia Heavey Cynthia Kaune
GREENWICH LEDYARD
Anastasia revitalized a plot of land that had fallen into Cynthia’s Gold Award project, “Renovate Colonial Ledyard Park
disrepair at Putnam Cottage, a historical site in Greenwich, Hiking Trails” focused on renovating and rejuvenating her local
and turned it into a place of learning for the community. She park to give families the opportunity to have a nice clean area to
replaced raised beds with a different category of plants and enjoy lunch and outdoor adventure while learning about some
herbs used in colonial times: medicinal, household, cosmetic, of Ledyard’s history. Cynthia created sustainable signs to mark
and culinary. She also created a brochure with the names, the trails and old homestead, rebuilt two footbridges, replaced
uses, and brief description of each plant, and conducted a benches, cleared away unwanted bushes and debris, and more.
workshop. Anastasia’s brochure has been shared with several With all of her hard work, her community can now enjoy the park
different organizations that will help sustain the garden and for years to come. Cynthia’s Parks and Recreations Department
continue the tours. Anastasia is currently majoring in nursing will continue to maintain the park as well as her high school’s
at Northeastern University in Boston. She plans to go to agriculture science department. Cynthia currently attends Lincoln
medical school after practicing as a nurse. Technical Institute with plans to become an auto mechanic.
62 01 8 G O L D AWA R D G I R L S C O U TS
Natalie Kelly Samantha Martin
MIDDLEBURY FAIRFIELD
Natalie wanted to give young musicians the opportunity to Samantha addressed the issue of high school students
learn skills from experienced high school musicians in their struggling with a mental illness and intense stress. To help
community, so she created a website with a series of surveys her fellow classmates know that they have an ally and
for parents to fill out. The surveys then matched excelling friend, Samantha and a group of students painted murals
high school musicians with struggling or new string students at her local high school to create a peaceful and relaxing
for free, private lessons. The students learned so much from atmosphere for all who walked through the lounge. She
the lessons and they were encouraged to continue playing worked with a licensed mental health clinician to paint the
into high school, college, and beyond. Natalie created a guide best pictures and phrases for her classmates. Samantha
to be passed down to another musician, and her program will shared her project through Facebook and also published
be supervised by the orchestra director at her high school. an article with her local newspaper. Samantha’s murals will
The same guide is also posted on her website for others stay permanently in her school’s lounge. She is currently
to start this program in their own area. Natalie plans on attending Massachusetts College of Art and Design.
becoming a teacher of music or chemistry.
Jasmine Kermode Anna Mervosh
VERNON SUFFIELD
Jasmine educated teachers, her troop, and people in her Anna focused on promoting vegetarianism and healthy eating
community about the honey bee colony collapse. Jasmine through a cooking class and displays at local events. At the
installed a hive at Strong Family Farm to help the crops class, participants learned how to prepare nutritious meals
and bring bees to the farm. She mostly targeted teens and received recipes that they could take home with them.
and adults because they could understand the weight of Anna also created informational posters with facts about
the bee collapse and help spread the word to their family, vegetarianism and the USDA’s MyPlate guidelines teaching
friends, and colleagues. Jasmine’s educational series will be the importance of eating right for themselves, animals, and
implemented into lesson plans at her high school. The hive the planet. She also posted the recipes on a class website
will be able to sustain itself once grounded. Jasmine plans with links to even more recipes. Anna hopes the participants
to enter a career in law enforcement and plans to double will be inspired to eat healthier and share the information
major in criminal justice and forensic psychology at Thomas with their family and friends. Anna plans to major in political
College. science and wants to pursue a career in public service after
college.
Manya Kidambi Erica Morey
TRUMBULL BROOKFIELD
Manya took on the task of teaching STEAM classes after Erica addressed healthy habits in children including nutrition
noticing a lack of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, and healthy eating. She hosted local classes at a community
art, and mathematics) presence in her community. She set center and promoted her classes through elementary schools,
up four sessions of experiments to be held on Saturday Facebook, childcare centers, libraries, and more. Her classes
afternoons for an hour for third through fourth-grade consisted of activities and information about how to live a
students. These experiments ranged from teaching healthy lifestyle by exercising and eating foods from the food
aerodynamics through making paper airplanes and polymers groups. Her class also created Get Well Bags for sick kids in
through slime. Manya then created a STEAM publication social services filled with the pamphlet she created about
with statistics and information and the experiments. The healthy living, tissue packets, sanitizing wipes, socks, word
publication will be used for conducting the program at the searches, coloring pages, and more. Erica’s project will be
library for years to come. Manya plans to major in molecular, sustainable through Brookfield High School’s HOSA club. Erica
cell, and developmental biology with the hopes of becoming plans to major in biology to become a physician’s assistant
an orthopedic surgeon. after high school.
72 01 8 G O L D AWA R D G I R L S C O U TS
Kelin Morris Miriam Ojjeh
WEST HARTFORD GREENWICH
Kelin built and installed two “Little Free Toiletry Pantries” Miriam created a children’s room and children’s tour at
to provide goods such as toothpaste, shampoo, razors, the Historical Putnam Cottage. She noticed her local
deodorant, and more to families in need. Kelin saw food museum fell short regarding other museums she’s seen
insecurity as an issue in the West Hartford and Hartford across the country, and she wanted to help the museum
communities, and along with food insecurity comes a lack of bring more families to the cottage. The room now consists
access to toiletries. Kelin raised awareness in her community of revolutionary-era replicas of toys, spy items, clothing,
and soon both pantries were being filled to help those in woodworking items, embroidery, and children and teen
need. Kelin established an Amazon system allowing people books about the Revolutionary War. Miriam also typed up
from all over to donate to the pantries. Her high school plaques explaining the artifacts in a kid-friendly way to help
service club continues to oversee her “Little Free Toiletry make learning fun. The Israel Putnam House Association will
Pantries.” Kelin currently attends Trinity College and plans to continue to run the children’s tour and children’s room for
declare a major in public policy and law with a concentration future tours and open houses. Miriam plans to study nursing.
in health. After college, Kelin plans to attend law school and
pursue her dream to become a lobbyist.
Abigail R. Mundt Julia Padget
SIMSBURY VERNON
Abigail addressed the need for teens to be prepared with Julia addressed the burden that new pet owners may
life skills when they leave home. She hoped to give teens face when adopting a new pet including nerves and lack
important information about the real world so they can live of knowledge. Julia created “bowls,” or starter kits, that
independently after high school when they go off to college included pet essentials like leashes, toys, food, and an
and begin their careers. She set up four workshops that informational packet on how to take care of their new
taught different areas of life skills: banking, financial literacy pet. Julia donated the bowls to local pounds and animal
and investing, job search and preparation, career exploration, shelters so they can be distributed to new pet owners. Her
and health and safety. Abigail also created an electronic town’s animal control officers have received a copy of the
pamphlet offering her students skills and topics that they informational packet that she created and they will pass
need to be aware of before leaving home. The set curriculum out the packets to adopters in the future. Julia is currently
for her workshops and electronic pamphlet will be hosted at attending the University of Connecticut where she is majoring
her public library. Abigail plans to study studio art in college in digital and graphic design. She would like to pursue a
and eventually be a working artist and run her own business. career in graphic and media design.
Olivia Nye Samantha Petruzzelli
MADISON RIDGEFIELD
Olivia aimed to spread knowledge about Madison’s Samantha refurbished the memory garden at her local camp
fascinating history by painting a colorful, transportable that is dedicated to children who have lost their battles with
mural that the entire town can enjoy. Olivia worked with the sickness or disabilities. The memory garden is important
Madison Historical Society on creating the mural so the group to the families who lost their loved ones, and Samantha’s
can bring it to different events, including elementary and goal was to beautify the garden and provide a safe haven
middle schools so children can learn about the community’s for families to cope with their loss. She also hoped that
history in a fun and inspirational way. The mural creates a anyone coping with an illness can visit the garden and feel
community through pride in the town’s beginnings, which at ease. Samantha planted perennial flowers to bring life to
also includes America’s beginnings, and emphasizes the garden. The memory garden will be sustained by being
Madison’s unique shoreline culture. The Madison Historical included in the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp’s annual
Society decided to make the mural a part of their permanent groundskeeping week where volunteers will clean and
collection. Olivia currently attends McGill University and she prepare the garden for campers coming in the summer.
is studying political science. Samantha plans to study psychology after she graduates.
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Sara Pollak Emma Rand
WILTON GUILFORD
Sara created a video for the “Wonder” Curriculum, a Emma spearheaded a book program titled, “Pilgrim
curriculum assembled by myFace Organization, a nonprofit Fellowship Youth Book Program” where she brought
organization dedicated to transforming the lives of patients appropriate books to mission trip locations so kids in
with craniofacial conditions. Sara wanted to share her story impoverished areas could have access to literature. Emma
and let others know that they are not alone and to spread worked with her local library and provided grade-appropriate,
awareness that “kindness counts!” The curriculum will be on assorted books to the children on her mission trip. Every
a global website so teachers can use it as a resource with the year, the Pilgrim Fellowship group will collect books from the
book Wonder by R.J. Palacio. The video is filled with teens and annual Guilford Free Library book sale and distribute them
adults from the myFace support groups whose stories were on their mission trip in the spring. The trips vary each year
told like evocative poetry bringing back many good and bad with locations including Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee,
memories. She currently attends Endicott College majoring Kentucky, and Louisiana. Emma plans to attend college in the
in hospitality with a concentration in event planning and a fall where she will major in biomedical engineering.
minor in communications.
Erin Prendergast Taylor Ranney
ESSEX RIDGEFIELD
Erin created a music club at her local high school to help her Taylor addressed the effects social media has on the lives of
fellow classmates get recognized for their leadership actions in pre-teens and teenagers and how parents can help protect
band. Because of this, students were missing out on earning their children, teach their children how to protect themselves,
credit toward acceptance in larger organizations, like various and use social media wisely. Taylor hosted an event and
honor societies and scholarship committees. The club also created posters and a powerful film showing the effects of
participated in a community service can drive and held a benefit social media, the top signs of a predator, the most prevalent
recital. Because of her club, her school and community were able scams, and bullying techniques. Her film was posted on
to appreciate the leadership opportunities band offers students. YouTube and was featured by the Project Resilience Coalition.
Erin mentored a younger student in her club who will take over Reaction to Taylor’s film was positive and will continue to be
the club after she graduates. Erin currently attends the University shared by the Project Resilience Coalition and featured on
of Connecticut as a major and accounting minor. their website. Her local school will also share her film on their
website. Taylor currently attends Emerson College.
Allison Quinn Ashley Raymond
BROOKFIELD RIDGEFIELD
Allison addressed the issue of low enrollment in her marching Due to misconceptions about people with learning
band due to low publicity at the younger levels. To solve this disabilities and dyslexia, Ashley created a PowerPoint
problem, Allison created a two-part recruitment program. presentation and compiled a panel of students to educate
The first part was to play an ongoing video for an entire her community. The panel spoke to attendees about their
week in the cafeteria during lunch at a local middle school. learning disabilities so they can understand others who
All four grades were able to see what marching band at struggle with a disability. Because of her panel, students
the high school as like. The second part was creating a with learning disabilities were empowered by telling their
recruitment workshop held after school with participation stories. She also had the panel and presentation filmed and
from 18 students. Allison’s video will be shown every year posted on Smart Kids’ national website where people from
and an afterschool program will continue to run and recruit across the country can learn about learning disabilities.
members of the marching band each year. Allison will Smart Kids is going to adopt Ashley’s panel to continue
continue to run the program until she graduates high school. educating others. Ashley plans on majoring in acting and
psychology when she graduates.
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Emily K. Rovillo Emma Scimone
EAST HAMPTON SOUTH WINDSOR
Emily addressed the lack of awareness her community had Emma focused on teaching her community on how to better
about what the Connecticut Humane Society does for sheltered communicate and treat dogs. She also improved the local
animals. She also wanted to help new adopters feel comfortable Bark Park by raising funds, hosted clean up events, and
in their new role. Emily filmed, directed, and edited helpful bought supplies for a new park bench. Her community can
training and craft videos that educated the public on what the also access pamphlets she created for more information
Connecticut Humane Society does to help sheltered animals and the Bark Park is now a safer environment for local dogs.
and how to take care of newly-adopted pets. The videos were a Emma hopes her project will be sustainable through the
success, and the Connecticut Humane Society is changing the new dog park, informational pamphlets, and through word
design of its website to make the videos more easily accessible of mouth around her local community. She hopes other
communities will be inspired to share her pamphlets as well.
to the public. Emily plans on pursuing a career in film and design.
Emma plans to attend St. Anselm College where she will
study nursing.
Rachel Salvador Justine Strom
BETHEL NEWINGTON
Rachel created a film for elementary schools to help connect Justine addressed the issue of a lack of historical education
young students and the community to their local history. specifically of the plants being used by early Connecticut
Rachel noticed children were being disconnected from history residents in the colonial period. Justine worked with the
and lacked general knowledge. She hoped the video would Stanley-Whitman house and created a PowerPoint and two
help preserve their town’s history. She realized adults gained videos to teach visitors about the house’s gardens. One of
knowledge from the video as well! Copies of her film will her goals was to give the house access to information to
stay at her local library and the historical society. Her local share with their visitors during the winter months when
elementary schools will also show her film in second-grade their garden is not available. Her presentations are on a
classrooms each year when teaching their students about TV-screen where visitors can click on it and view the
the history of Bethel. Rachel also created a website where different information. Justine will be attending the University
anyone can view her film. Rachel currently attends Vassar of Connecticut after high school where she plans to major
College and looks forward to her future. in history. She also plans to go to law school and become a
lawyer.
Julianna Schaffer Catherine Sushon
WESTON GREENWICH
Julianna addressed the issue of children and pets being left Catherine established a volunteer docent program at the
alone in unattended vehicles resulting in injury and death. local Knapp Tavern historical house giving Greenwich High
Julianna created and installed aluminum signs around her School students the opportunity to learn tour-leading
community to raise awareness, give prevention tips, and skills and eventually tour guests themselves. This served
encourage people to act if they see a child or pet in danger. a dual purpose of teaching new skills to students while
She also created flyers and brochures and distributed also addressing the site’s staffing problem. Catherine also
them in several locations and online to further educate her created a training manual for the docents and led several
community. Juliana’s signs have a minimum lifespan of 10 open houses on-site with the help of the trained high school
years and will continue to be placed throughout town. The volunteers. Because of her efforts, the historical house has
Weston Volunteer EMS will also replenish her brochures enough volunteers to stay open. Her docent pipeline is tied
to continue to keep the town safe. Julianna plans to study to her high school’s history club to help ensure the cottage
business and finance and to continue being active in her remain staffed after she graduates. Catherine will attend
community. Trinity College in the fall and plans to pursue pre-med or
psychology.
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Sydney Tabor Alexandra Traunfeld
WATERFORD NEW BRITAIN
Sydney addressed the issue of children in underserved Alexandra focused on ensuring that bilingual children in her
communities not having enough access to books. She community have access to books that they can read with
created a community service club in her town with middle their non-English speaking guardians. Alexandra established
school students and together they ran a book drive in her two “Little Free Libraries” at her high school stocked with
town. The club donated the books to her local community English and Spanish books for families. Alexandra wrote
and to the American Friends of Kenya to instill the joy of and published an article asking her community to donate
reading in children. After research, she learned that children books and her librarian at school continues to put books
in Africa and inner-city children suffered from illiteracy, so in the “Little Free Libraries.” Alexandra’s entire community
she hoped her book drive would help them learn how to read continues to restock books and the general upkeep of the
and know that they matter. The club she created will run the library. Alexandra currently attends Alvernia University and
book drive next year with the help of teachers and students. is majoring in behavioral health sciences and nursing. She
Sydney plans to study dermatology and biology at Western wants to become a psychiatric nurse.
New England University.
Kim S. Theleen Samantha Traunfeld
SOUTHBURY NEW BRITAIN
Kim tackled the issue of personal social media safety for Samantha addressed physical violence and current issues
girls and their guardians and helped them understand the in society by creating a series of workshops called, “Be
impact their online footprint has on their personal safety. She Your Own Superhero.” The workshop taught young people
hosted a program where police officers provided information confidence and basic self-defense moves to help protect
on how to set privacy settings, monitor online activity, and them from an unwanted confrontation. She also created
the importance of communicating with their guardians. Kim a website where she offered tips and techniques to easily
videotaped two sessions and put them in the binder with the defend themselves and be more aware of their surroundings.
rest of her materials. The video is also available on YouTube She was glad to teach the attendees basic self-defense
and Facebook. Her binder was distributed to the United moves and help others feel and be safer in their community
Church of Christ of Southbury and her service unit. Kim and the world. Samantha plans to pursue a career in
currently attends Keene State College and plans to pursue a business.
career in criminal justice, business management, or health
and safety studies.
Danielle Tirocchi Amanda Varhol
LISBON PROSPECT
Danielle aimed to educate children ages 4-8 on all of the Amanda reconstructed the letterboxes that her troop
incredible things that a library has to offer, so she created originally installed 10 years prior at Matthies Park, a local
“Program in a Box.” For her project, she hosted three reading park that was not visited as much as she hoped. Amanda
events at her local library utilizing the boxes. Each box had a wanted to give families the opportunity to learn about
specific theme targeted to kids’ interests to help them enjoy letterboxing and experience the park in a new and fun way.
reading and visiting the library. She was thrilled to see how Amanda’s project will be maintained by the Beacon Falls
much fun they were having. All of Danielle’s programs will be Parks and Recreation Department, the town library, and her
put in a reusable box in the local library for families and other local service unit. Amanda plans on studying environmental
organizations to utilize for years to come. Danielle plans to biology when she graduates high school. She wants to raise
major in accounting to become a forensic accountant. awareness of environmental issues so future generations get
to experience the planet as we do today and work to make
the world a better place.
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Caterina Wang Natalie White
FARMINGTON BROOKFIELD
Caterina created an Asian American Culture program at her Natalie aimed to educate the community about the
high school to help raise awareness of the need of world environmental issues caused by plastic bags. She held a
language classes in her community. Along with the program, program at her local library and presented these issues to
Caterina also kick-started an annual program called “East young children and their parents about how to recycle and
Asia Day” at her local middle school. Her project introduced reuse plastic bags. She also created several tutorial videos
many people in her community to Asian American culture to teach the community about ways to use plastic bags, like
and gave those interested the opportunity to learn more making mats and sit-upons. Natalie hopes that the young
about different cultures and languages offered at her high children and the entire community will change their plastic
school. Caterina’s club will continue to run in the future, bag consumption and share this news with others. Natalie’s
including the Facebook page she created to raise awareness. videos are also online for the public. Natalie plans to study
East Asia Day will also continue to run at her local middle environmental science and policy when she graduates high
school. Caterina plans to study physics and history in college. school.
Isabella Watson Olivia Katherine
SOUTHBURY Wong
SHELTON
Isabella addressed the issue of students feeling too much Olivia promoted and supported an inclusive environment
stress during exams. She created a presentation and shared in a diverse elementary school community. Olivia worked
it with her entire school with information about the negative with the faculty at the school and formed a team to paint
effects that stress can bring on the body and offered stress an interactive mural and developed lesson plans about
relief techniques. She also held fun activities after school multiculturalism and monoculturalism, which she taught to
for students to unwind and have fun during a stressful time. a fourth grade classroom. Olivia’s mural will continue to stay
She found that her presentation and activities helped relieve in the school for years to come. Her lesson plans are also
stress among her classmates. Isabella’s presentation and available online. Olivia plans to earn a bachelor’s degree in
activities will be repeated two times every year and will digital animation and design and a minor in illustration. She
continue to run after she graduates. Isabella plans to become hopes to use her love for art and technology to be a digital
a social studies teacher or work in a theater company. animator.
12Since 1916, approximately one million Girl Scouts have been making a meaningful,
sustainable change in their communities and around the world by earning the Girl Scout
Gold Award. This is the highest honor a Girl Scout can earn, and acknowledges the power
behind each recipient’s dedication to not only empowering and bettering herself, but also
making the world a better place for others. These young women are courageous leaders
and visionary changemakers.
Girl Scouts choose an issue, investigate the issue, create a plan, gather a team, take action
in their communities, and educate and inspire others to make the world a better place.
Did you know?
• Though it has changed names, since 1916, the Girl Scout Gold Award, the organization’s
highest award, has represented excellence and leadership for girls everywhere!
• The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest leadership award a Girl Scout can earn. Less
than six percent of all Girl Scouts earn the Girl Scout Gold Award.
• A Girl Scout who has earned her Gold Award immediately rises one rank in any of the
U.S. military branches.
• A growing number of colleges and universities across the country recognize the
achievement of the Gold Award through college admission and scholarships.
Girl Scout Gold Award at a Glance:
Golden Eaglet 1916-1939
Curved Bar Award 1940-1963
First Class 1963-1980
Gold Award 1980-present
The Gold Award Committee is composed of caring
and dedicated volunteers. Each committee member
mentors girls as they embark on their journey toward
the Girl Scout Gold Award, offering advice, support,
and guidance along the way. These committee
members’ efforts ensure the success of our GSOFCT
Gold Award Girl Scouts, and their dedication is what
makes our Gold Award program possible. Thank you
for an excellent year.Girl Scout Mission
Girl Scouting builds girls of
courage, confidence, and character,
who make the world a better place.
Girl Scout Promise La Promesa de Girl Scouts
On my honor, I will try: Por mi honor, yo trataré:
To serve God and my country, De servir a Dios y a mi patria,
To help people at all times, ayudar a las personas en todo momento,
And to live by the Girl Scout Law. y vivir conforme a la Ley de Girl Scouts.
Girl Scout Law La Ley de Girl Scouts
I will do my best to be Yo me esforzaré por:
honest and fair, Ser honrada y justa
friendly and helpful, cordial y servicial,
considerate and caring, considerada y compasiva,
courageous and strong, and valiente y fuerte, y
responsible for what I say and do, responsable de lo que digo y hago,
and to y por
respect myself and others, respetarme a mí misma y a los demás
respect authority, respetar la autoridad
use resources wisely, usar los recursos de manera prudente,
make the world a better place, and hacer del mundo un lugar mejor, y
be a sister to every Girl Scout. ser hermana de cada una de las Girl Scouts.
Girl Scouts of Connecticut
340 Washington Street, Hartford, CT 06106
(800) 922-2770 • gsofct.orgYou can also read
